“Donda Chant” by Kanye West (ft. Syleena Johnson)

“Donda Chant” holds the distinction of literally being the most repetitive track (with words) we’ve ever worked on, as lyrically it only features one word, “Donda”, being repeated approximately 60 times (as implied by the title). 

Of course said “Donda” would be Kanye West’s late mother, whom the entire album this track is featured on is named after and dedicated to. So with this being the opening track of the undertaking, it most effectively shoutouts, literally, the late Donda West, thus setting the aforenoted tone of the project overall.

Some analysts have tried to derive a deeper meaning from this piece, implying that there may be some numerology or whatever involved. But at the same time, they are also able to recognize that this track has “no beat, melody or real rhythm”.

Others seem to be under the impression that perhaps Kanye West is too intellectual or the music industry too advanced, or however you want to put it, to feature a song with the same word being repeated over and over, to no perceived edification to the listener. 

Well Kanye is a musical artist in the truest sense of the word, not being afraid to push boundaries or, put more colloquially, not giving AF when the situation calls for it. And alas, losing a loved one like a mother, especially in the manner in which Donda West left the mortal plane is, shall we say, a purely emotional experience on the part of a child, not feelings that call for being put into fancy wording or organized with ear-pleasing beats. 

Indeed Kanye West appears to be the first rapper to ever actually name an album after his moms. Also there’s another track contained therein simply entitled Donda, and you’d also be hard-pressed to find a song by a musician from any genre that is named after the vocalist’s parent, whether alive or dead.

All in all

So the point we’re trying to get to is that it’s obvious Yeezus didn’t intend the “Donda Chant” to be a banger, or, we would venture say, overcomplicated in any way, shape or form. 

Is there some type of numerology involved? For the time being that would be a question only the composers can answer. 

But what is plainly obvious about this track is that it very much serves the purpose for which it was designed, which is to memorialize Donda West. And in a way, rather focusing on how many times her name is repeated does a disservice to this intended goal.